McLean County Times

Today was to be the final scheduled day of the 2024 spring session of the General Assembly. It now appears that the session will extend for a couple more days as the budget is finalized. Members are expected to work late into the night in an effort to pass their bills before adjournment. Many issues remain unresolved in a rapidly changing environment, and a more comprehensive update will be provided next week.

In other news, Representative Bunting has voiced opposition to House Bill 2900, which bans fundraisers and wildlife competitions involving hunts for fur-bearing mammals such as coyotes, squirrels, and raccoons. "Ask any farmer in our area about the biggest dangers to their crops and livestock and they will probably give you one of two answers: weather and predators," Bunting stated. He emphasized that these competitions help control predator populations that threaten livestock and equipment. Despite efforts from agricultural district representatives to highlight these concerns, the bill passed.

Additionally, state licensing delays continue to affect various professionals who require licenses from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The delays are attributed to an outdated system at IDFPR. Legislators have been seeking solutions for years, but improvements have yet to materialize. The agency has requested an extension until June 8 to upgrade its software and processes. In response, House Republicans introduced House Bill 1572 to expedite health care worker licenses and House Bill 4855 to allow electronic payments for licenses and fees; however, both bills have stalled in the House.

The current backlog of unpaid state bills stands at $841,894,223 as processed by the Illinois Comptroller's office. This figure fluctuates daily but is down from $1.1 billion at this time last year. This total does not include unfunded liabilities such as the state's pension debt exceeding $100 billion.

Other headlines across Illinois include police departments working to recover from pandemic-induced staffing shortages, new legislation targeting teachers who abuse students over 18 with criminal charges, continued population decline in Illinois' largest cities according to recent Census data, discovery of a prehistoric creature with large spiky legs that once roamed present-day Illinois 300 million years ago, a call for cicada-themed art for a State Fair exhibit, and Harvest Moon being named the #2 drive-in theater in the country.